Best Schools in Chowchilla, California
11 schools · 6 Elementary · 3 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Chowchilla?
Use this page to compare every school in Chowchilla by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Chowchilla Union High
High · Chowchilla Union High. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Fairmead Elementary
Middle · Chowchilla Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Dairyland Elementary
Middle · Alview-Dairyland Union Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chowchilla for 2026 are Chowchilla Union High (6.9/10), Fairmead Elementary (6.7/10), and Dairyland Elementary (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$342,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
11
9 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$342,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Chowchilla schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Chowchilla
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 11 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chowchilla Union High | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Fairmead Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Dairyland Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Wilson Middle | 5.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Alview Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Ronald Reagan Elementary | 4.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Gateway High (continuation) | 4.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $66,567
- Median home value
- $342,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chowchilla compares
California rank
#514 of 599
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$67k
67% of California median
Schools in this city
9
Chowchilla's public schools split across 3 districts
No single ISD owns Chowchilla. The public campuses divide among 3 districts.
The largest shares: Chowchilla Elementary (5), Alview-Dairyland Union Elementary (2), Chowchilla Union High (2).
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.0 to 6.9 — the spread is inside Chowchilla, not a citywide average.
- Chowchilla Elementary5 public · 56%
- Alview-Dairyland Union Elementary2 public · 22%
- Chowchilla Union High2 public · 22%
About Schools in Chowchilla, California
Chowchilla, California is home to 11 schools, including 9 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Chowchilla show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Chowchilla is Chowchilla Union High with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chowchilla is served by 3 school districts: Alview-Dairyland Union Elementary, Chowchilla Elementary, Chowchilla Union High. These districts collectively serve 3,692 students.
Chowchilla's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,567. The poverty rate in the area is 21.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 171 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 540 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 5.6 | ||
| 3 | 202 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 481 students · 3rd–4th | 4.6 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Chowchilla Adventist SchoolPrivate 19 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Chowchilla Sda SchoolPrivate 19 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 473 students · 5th–6th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 215 students · 4th–8th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 475 students · 7th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,067 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 67 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 |
Schools in Chowchilla
Chowchilla, California · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,567
Median Home Value
$342,000
Median Rent
$1,239/mo
Population
24,088
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
21.4%
Community Profile
Chowchilla has a median household income of $66,567. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $342,000, with a median rent of $1,239/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Chowchilla, California
How many schools are in Chowchilla, California?
Chowchilla has 11 schools, including 9 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chowchilla, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chowchilla is 5.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Chowchilla, California?
The top-ranked school in Chowchilla on MySchoolScout is Chowchilla Union High with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chowchilla, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chowchilla on MySchoolScout is Alview Elementary with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Chowchilla, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Chowchilla on MySchoolScout is Fairmead Elementary with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Chowchilla, California?
The top-ranked high school in Chowchilla on MySchoolScout is Chowchilla Union High with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Chowchilla, California?
Chowchilla is served by 3 school districts: Alview-Dairyland Union Elementary, Chowchilla Elementary, Chowchilla Union High.
What is the education level in Chowchilla, California?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Chowchilla have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chowchilla, California?
The median household income in Chowchilla is approximately $66,567 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chowchilla, California?
Yes, Chowchilla has 2 private schools alongside 9 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chowchilla, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chowchilla is 24.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chowchilla, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.